⏲︎ This article is more than a year old.

Rene Ryan, an Annville resident, has raised over $6,600 for the UPMC Pinnacle Children’s Resource Center of Lebanon County (CRC) after staging a fundraising run to raise awareness of an area child abuse case.

Ryan decided to begin running after learning about a North Annville Township child abuse case that was reported in early February. The run gained support and became a fundraiser. In addition to the money raised, Ryan also amassed a donation of 500 stuffed animals for the CRC.

Rene Ryan, who has run over 37 miles (60 kilometers) to raise money and awareness of child abuse. (UPMC)

According to a release from UPMC, Ryan’s efforts are particularly relevant for the month of April as it is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation is recognizing this with hundreds of blue pinwheels given to five hospitals in Central Pennsylvania, a program called Pinwheels for Prevention.

The CRC opened in Harrisburg in 1994 and a satellite office opened in Lebanon County. The release states that the CRC “aims to reduce the trauma and aftermath of child abuse by providing a safe environment, forensic interviews, specialized medical care, and mental health services.” Ryan’s fundraising is one of several ways the organization is funded, with grants, contracts with area youth agencies, and community donations also part of the equation. Families are not billed for services they receive from the CRC.

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